They’ve had Cesc Fabregas. Now Arsenal fans are lapping up a double helping of world-class midfield talent.

Lukas Podolski and Santi Cazorla come from the ­opposite end of the physical spectrum but they are two peas in a pod when it comes down to footballing talent and brains.

They cost a combined £23.8million in the summer, but looked a steal as they took Southampton apart in a devastating display of midfield power and guile that earned Arsenal their first Emirates win of the season.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger said: “Cazorla is a pleasure to watch. He typifies Spanish players – technically perfect, great vision and a great team attitude.”

He and Podolski – “He has 101 caps for Germany,” says Wenger by way of explaining his talent – were simply unstoppable. Only a terrible error by keeper Wojciech Szczesny threw any crumb of comfort the way of the Saints, who are still searching for their first point.

(Image: Reuters)

It has been a harsh ­return to the Premier League for Southampton, if-only men at Manchester City and so-nearly men against Manchester United.

But yesterday it was simply a 45-minute lesson from two world-class players. But there is English hope amongst all this German and Spanish ­brilliance. Theo Walcott would have been disappointed to find himself only on the bench against his former club having suffered a virus in midweek.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain showed just how much he has progressed since following Walcott from St Mary’s little more than a year ago, and Kieran Gibbs was outstanding as an overlapping full-back.

Gibbs’ cross-shot was deflected by goalkeeper Kelvin Davis into the path of defender Jos ­Hooiveld, who could only turn the ball into his own net for an 11th-minute opener.

But it owed everything to a powerful run from Podolski.

When Oxlade-Chamberlain was brought down 25 yards out, Podolski stepped up and scored direct from the free- kick, the first of three Arsenal goals in six brilliant minutes.

Three minutes later ­Gervinho was played onside as he anticipated Mikel Arteta’s neat through ball and ran on to drill it past Davis.

(Image: Clive Mason)

Poor Maya Yoshida. He has had just one training session with Saints and was brought into early action at the centre of the defence when Hooiveld limped off. He must have ­wondered what he had let himself in for as the fourth went in. Gervinho fed Gibbs and his cross was deflected in by tormented Saints full-back Nathaniel Clyne.

By now it was long forgotten that Arsenal were enduring their worst home run for 17 years – four matches without a win.

They also conceded their first goal after keeping a clean sheet in their opening three league games for the first time ever in the top flight. Szczesny, returning after two games out with a rib injury, dropped an aimless cross from Jason Puncheon at the feet of agrateful Daniel Fox.

The fifth was a showcase for substitute Aaron Ramsey’s deft footwork. His shot hit a post but Gervinho knocked in the rebound from 18 inches.

Per Mertesacker’s foray into the penalty area saw a shot blocked and Walcott delivered the sixth and final goal.

Saints boss Nigel Adkins has had tough fixtures to start the season and in chief executive Nicola Cortese has a man with a twitchy trigger finger.

But he said: “It has been a challenging start, but I believe we have a good team.”